GP locums are in a challenging yet rewarding position, in that they frequently review patients that have been seen by other GPs. However, many GP locums may be concerned, if they were to come across a clinical error, what would be the most appropriate way to provide feedback to those GPs?
GP locums are often best placed to pick up on potential clinical errors in general practice. There are many reasons for this, and they could be regarded as a valuable safety net in patient care. They may be reviewing patients whose investigation or treatment has been started by another GP. As such, they may be a “fresh pair of eyes” and may pick up on a subtle difference that the treating GP may have overlooked. Not knowing the patient can sometimes be helpful, as GP locums may have to go back to the beginning to reassess the patient.
GP locums have lots to offer practices in terms of learning; working in different practices with different patient populations and ways of working can bring experience that it can often be helpful to share.